Benjamin Gorišek, winner of CEOforOneMonth 2023 in the Adriatic & Hungary cluster is a law student from Slovenia, who brings a unique perspective to the challenges currently faced by the HR industry. With prior experience in the field, his keen interest lies in navigating the dynamic landscape, particularly with the entrance of Generation Z into the workforce. In this interview, we had the opportunity to delve into Benjamin’s passion and explore his experiences regarding the CEOforOneMonth program.
How did you find the program and why did you apply?
I first heard of the program through an e-mail newsletter, and I applied because I thought it was an excellent opportunity, unlike anything I had ever come across before. I wanted to learn more about it and see what the program can offer, so I applied.
The selection process had several steps: as I recall, it lasted approximately six months. Initially, we were required to submit our CV and a compelling motivation letter, then we were given three tests. The first test assessed our aptitude in navigating challenging situations, the second one gauged our logical reasoning and analytical thinking. Lastly, we had to fill out a unique personality test.
Upon completing these initial assessments, the selection process moved forward. I believe that in our country the TOP 20 were chosen and we were tasked with recording a one-minute video in which we presented ourselves. Amongst these applicants, the top three were chosen. The top candidates of Slovenia, Serbia, and Hungary participated in a virtual CEOforOneMonth boot camp that spanned an entire day. Here we were faced with several challenges that served to further narrow down the field, first determining the top three candidates overall and then eventually revealing the winner.
What are yout thoughts on the selection process?
Embracing the demanding nature of the process, despite acknowledging its intensity, was a personal highlight for me, even though some of my fellow competitors may have found it to be overwhelming. The strenuous selection journey captivated me for two reasons. Firstly, this is an excellent simulation of real-world selection procedures for elevated positions within companies, which was quite interesting to see. I always thought that selection processes merely entailed one, two, or at most three interviews. However, the multifaceted tasks presented during the program included the tasks include case studies, challenges, and written plus oral expression. These shed light on the comprehensive nature of selection processes, which made me enjoy the bootcamp immensely.
Secondly, I also enjoyed that the boot camp, which spanned an entire day, maintained a relentless pace, with minimal breaks. This revealed the participants’ resilience – it showed who persevered, and who was willing to take up the time and push themselves professionally to achieve the best results.
Admittedly, there were certain challenges related to time management during the boot camp, as some, including members of my group, held their presentations longer than the allotted time frame. Consequently, the schedule was disrupted, shortening our breaks. Anticipating such changes, I prepared water, and food in advance, so if anything changed, I would be ready.
The process tested not only the participants’ mental fortitude but also challenged them physically. I’m used to some international competitions where you compete the entire day and I believe that pushing oneself to the mental and physical limits is instrumental in personal growth and improvement.
What were your expectations before starting your month as a young CEO at Adecco?
Entering this program, I had two aspirations. Firstly, I am passionate about entrepreneurship, I thrive on identifying problems and seeking effective solutions for them. This is why I wanted to work at a company that placed entrepreneurship at its core. As it is one of the five fundamental values upheld by Adecco, CEOforOneMonth was a perfect fit. To be an entrepreneur one day I wish to gain as much knowledge and experience as possible before I start my career path. In my view, this program offered an unparalleled opportunity to accomplish that goal.
Secondly, I was interested in the field of HR itself. When talking to alumni and fellow applicants of the CEOforOneMonth program, I noticed that most of them weren’t necessarily interested in HR. The program was nonetheless an opportunity for them to learn and gain firsthand experience. As for myself, I was always interested in HR. Having previously worked as a recruiter and with my mother holding the position of HR manager, the realm of HR is familiar and close to my heart. Moreover, I see tremendous challenges in the field of HR, one certainly being talent scarcity, the second being automatization, and the evolving nature of work itself, emphasizing flexibility and an increased focus on ESG principles. I believe the market is already facing some significant questions and challenges, hence I wanted to see how Adecco, a global market leader in the world of HR, approaches and addresses them.
How does the program benefit you, even though you don’t specifically study HR or business?
There are significant connections between HR and law, which are especially crucial for someone like me who isn’t pursuing a traditional law career, such as becoming a lawyer or judge, etc. When you look at HR in the context of business, there are many legal aspects involved, from contracts to compliance. HR deals with people and labor, which are heavily regulated. This is particularly relevant now as we face labor shortages even in Hungary and Slovenia, we require a legal framework to enable the employment of foreign workers and ensure their integration into our society. I’ve always been interested in HR, and it’s a field I’m familiar with due to my previous work as a recruiter and my mom’s role as an HR manager. For example, to this end, there were changes made in Slovenia to the law on foreigners, providing them with free language courses.
Law also connects to business through the particular mindset that is ingrained in those who study law. Precision and exactitude are essential in law, there is no room for unjustifiable error. You also have to be very focused, and up-to-date and I think that all of those skills are highly transferable to the business world. Law serves as a means to an end, I use it as a tool to propel me towards my desired professional destination, which is the business realm.
I can’t say that I anticipated studying law it was more of a spontaneous decision of mine. I’ve always had this entrepreneurial spirit about me, ever since I was a child, as I come from a family of entrepreneurs. I was raised in a certain mentality, and that is then reflected in me as well. What incited me to study law is that I viewed it as a challenge, and it provided me with an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone.
Ultimately, the network of CEOforOneMonth alumni is quite diverse, there are even aerospace engineers among them. This diversity highlights the potential benefits for anyone, maybe even more so for those who don’t study business. If you have other expertise in whatever field you study, you can use this opportunity to learn about business, so you have a wider grasp and knowledge from different fields, not just from one. This multifaceted knowledge becomes an asset, making them more appealing to prospective employers.
What was the CEOforOneMonth experience like in actuality?
Two main answers come to mind. First, something that everyone can get from this experience is a glimpse into how a corporation operates, providing knowledge about HR, business, and leadership. It’s an opportunity to meet amazing people, travel, and build connections and a network. These are benefits that most CEOforOneMonth winners enjoy, but for me, there’s something more, which would be my second answer to the question.
During the program, I found a way to pursue my passion. Adecco is looking towards the future and the younger generations. They value our ideas and feedback, here I have a chance to showcase my initiatives. which is why I jumped at the chance to work on something I’m truly passionate about: the mental wellbeing of young generations. The connection between work and mental wellbeing is undeniable. We spend so much of our lives working, and it can either be a source of fulfillment and purpose or a cause of stress, burnout, and anxiety. What’s interesting is that these issues are becoming more prominent with Generation Z. They’re experiencing higher rates of burnout compared to other generations, with almost half of Gen Z workers reporting constant stress or feeling stressed most of the time.
Deteriorating mental health is a topic that’s going to become a major societal issue, especially with all the challenges we face today like the pandemic, geopolitical and economic uncertainty, and so on. What drives me is the belief that the level of attention these issues get is disproportionately lower than the impact they already have and what they will have in the future. As a law student, I didn’t have many opportunities to tackle this issue alone since I’m not a public health expert, psychologist, or policy guru. But through the CEOforOneMonth program, I now have the chance to work on my passion, which is something I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Adecco, being a global leader in HR, is the perfect place to address these concerns. They not only have a strong market position but also actively engage with social issues. They’re open to suggestions, and ideas, and are always willing to develop and change, which is why I believe what I say will actually be heard. I’ll do my best to present and develop my idea, and it’s up to the company to decide if it’s worth pursuing in the future.
The motto of Adecco is “Making the future work for everyone”. Adecco is actively trying to be at the forefront of future work, and as far as I’m concerned they are the only HR company – and perhaps one of the few larger companies – that are actively addressing this issue.
In just 10 years, Gen Z will make up one-third of the workforce, and within three years, 75% will be comprised of Gen Y and Gen Z. Gen Z is already making waves in the world of work: the “Great Resignation” is in big part fueled by young workers. They are more flexible in changing their occupation compared to others, they are at the forefront of trends such as quiet quitting, influencers and more to come. They’re already shaping the world of work in unique ways, and companies that recognize this and take action will benefit the most. The faster they act, the less they risk or the more they benefit – depending on how you look at it.
What’s next for you? Do you have a specific idea in mind for your career’s future direction?
The CEOforOneMonth opportunity has given me a chance to delve into my passion. Not only did I learn and experience a lot, but I’ve found what I truly want to do. My ideal scenario would be to work on how Adecco can adapt to the changing nature of mental wellbeing particularly with an emphasis on Generation Z. If this work is not possible within the Adecco Group, I would still definitely pursue this goal elsewhere. It is a topic that has captivated my interest for years, and now I find myself overwhelmingly passionate about it. The passage of time within this program feels remarkably quick, as I work on something I’m actually passionate about, not out of obligation but out of an intrinsic desire to make a difference.
